Cable cars are an iconic part of San Francisco’s transportation system and have fascinated locals and visitors alike for generations. Here are 107 riddles that test your knowledge about these unique vehicles that climb up and down the city’s steep hills.
History Riddles
Riddles 1-10
1. Q: When were the first cable cars introduced in San Francisco?
A: In 1873 by Andrew Smith Hallidie.
2. Q: What was the inspiration for the cable car system?
A: Hallidie witnessed a horrible accident where a horse-drawn streetcar descended down a steep hill and was unable to stop, killing the horses.
3. Q: What hill did the first cable car climb?
A: Clay Street Hill.
4. Q: How long was the first cable car route?
A: Only three blocks, on Clay Street between Kearny and Jones.
5. Q: When did the first commercial cable car service begin operation?
A: In 1873 on the Clay Street Hill Railroad.
6. Q: How many people could the first cable cars carry?
A: Up to 24 passengers.
7. Q: What was unique about the grip on the first cable cars?
A: It was a lever device that grabbed the moving cable underground, unlike today’s hand-operated grip.
8. Q: How did the great earthquake of 1906 affect cable cars?
A: It destroyed most of the cable car system.
9. Q: When did the cable cars almost disappear for good?
A: In the 1940s and 50s as other public transit was expanded.
10. Q: Who is credited with saving the cable cars from being eliminated?
A: Friedel Klussmann, leading the Cable Car Vigilantes advocacy group.
Riddles 11-20
11. Q: What is the most direct cable car route still operating?
A: California Street line.
12. Q: What do cable cars use instead of an engine?
A: A cable under the street connects to the car to pull it.
13. Q: Where was the cable car powerhouse located before the 1906 earthquake?
A: At the intersection of Mason and Washington Streets.
14. Q: What was the fare when cable cars first started running?
A: Just 5 cents!
15. Q: What was one way Andrew Hallidie promoted the new cable cars?
A: He had an employee ride a cable car down Clay Street while holding a stack of eggs to show its smooth ride.
16. Q: How fast do cable cars travel?
A: Maximum speed is 9.5 mph.
17. Q: How much did it cost to ride a cable car when they reopened in 1912 after the earthquake?
A: 10 cents.
18. Q: How many cable car operators were there in the 1940s?
A: Over 120.
19. Q: When did the cable cars stop using a conductor to collect fares?
A: In 1982.
20. Q: How much money did voters approve in 1947 to save the cable cars?
A: $6 million dollars.
Operations Riddles
Riddles 21-40
21. Q: How long is each cable that pulls the cars?
A: Between 2 to 2.5 miles long.
22. Q: How wide are cable car tracks?
A: Just over 5 feet wide.
23. Q: What provides the grip power to hold onto the cable?
A: Wheels near the grip spin to match the cable speed.
24. Q: How fast does the cable below ground move?
A: 9.5 mph.
25. Q: Where are the cables powered from?
A: The central powerhouse at Washington and Mason Streets.
26. Q: How many cables are there today?
A: Four separate cable lines.
27. Q: What material were the first cables made from?
A: Hemp rope with wire strands.
28. Q: How wide is the slit in the street for the cable?
A: Just 2 inches wide.
29. Q: How much does one cable car weigh?
A: Around 16,000 pounds.
30. Q: How many passengers can a cable car hold?
A: Around 60 people.
31. Q: How high above the street is the cable grip?
A: About 4 feet high.
32. Q: What material are the cables made of today?
A: Steel wire strands within a steel tube.
33. Q: What force makes the grip wheel spin?
A: Friction on the moving cable.
34. Q: What is the loud bell signal from the conductor used for?
A: To notify the grip operator to release or apply the grip.
35. Q: What provides momentum to carry the car up hills?
A: Its own weight and centrifugal force.
36. Q: What helps serve as a brake downhill?
A: Pressed brake pads on the wheels.
37. Q: How many hand brakes are on each car?
A: Four manual track brakes.
38. Q: How are the cables kept straight underneath the slots?
A: Guide sheaves help align the cables.
39. Q: What happened when the cables broke in the past?
A: The cable cars would roll backwards down the hills.
40. Q: How are new cable car operators trained?
A: On a training car along special track runs.
Riddles 41-60
41. Q: How tall must grip operators be?
A: At least 5 feet 6 inches tall.
42. Q: What was the salary of a cable car operator in 1906?
A: $3.50 per 10 hour day.
43. Q: How many positions are there on a cable car crew?
A: Four crew members per car.
44. Q: Who is responsible for loading passengers on the car?
A: The conductor.
45. Q: Who operates the grip lever and brakes?
A: The grip operator.
46. Q: Who collects fares from passengers?
A: The conductor.
47. Q: Who stands near the rear wheels and oversees operations?
A: The brake operator.
48. Q: What rare position no longer exists on cable cars today?
A: The grip collector who walked beside the car.
49. Q: How does the grip operator signal the car is ready to go?
A: Ringing the brass bell.
50. Q: How does the conductor signal the car is ready for passengers to board?
A: Calling “All Aboard!”
51. Q: What custom evolved of passengers helping push cable cars?
A: Volunteer “cookie shovers” pushing uphill.
52. Q: Where does the grip operator stand to operate the car?
A: In the open front section.
53. Q: Where are tools kept to work on the cable car?
A: On the outside near the grip operator.
54. Q: Where does the conductor stand to collect fares?
A: At the rear boarding area.
55. Q: Where does the brake operator ride during the trip?
A: On a platform at the back.
56. Q: What does the conductor shout when the car is full?
A: “That’s all!”
57. Q: What does the conductor yell when the car is starting to move?
A: “Hold tight please!”
58. Q: What is the rear open section with benches called?
A: The trailer section.
59. Q: What custom began when a cable broke and rolled backwards?
A: Women and children exited first.
60. Q: What is the front wheeled section called?
A: The truck or grip section.
Riddles 61-80
61. Q: What rare personal item is still permitted on cable cars?
A: Folding wooden seat platforms.
62. Q: What is the largest cable car barn today?
A: The Cable Car Barn and Powerhouse at 1201 Mason Street.
63. Q: Where was the first cable car barn located?
A: At the Clay Street terminus.
64. Q: What do cable car operators have to demonstrate annually?
A: Their grip skills on test hills.
65. Q: How many miles of cable exist under San Francisco today?
A: About 52 miles of cable.
66. Q: What is the span length between cable sheaves underneath the street?
A: Up to 300 feet between pulleys.
67. Q: How long does it take to go through cable car training?
A: 8 weeks of intensive training.
68. Q: What is the cable car training facility called?
A: The Cable Car Training School.
69. Q: What is tested at annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest?
A: Unique grip bell ringing skills.
70. Q: How many cable car operators are employed today?
A: Around 130 operators.
71. Q: What is the name of the cable car maintenance facility?
A: Cable Car Barn and Powerhouse.
72. Q: Where was the first Cable Car Barn located after the 1906 earthquake?
A: At the Hyde Street Cable Car Barn & Power House.
73. Q: How long is basic cable car operator training?
A: At least four weeks.
74. Q: How long does total training last to become a cable car grip?
A: Around one year.
75. Q: What do cable car operators have to learn perfectly?
A: The stopping points at stations.
76. Q: How many hours a day do cables cars operate?
A: Around 17 hours daily.
77. Q: What is tested during Cable CarShutDown Day every year?
A: Detailed maintenance of the cables and equipment.
78. Q: How many cable car operators were there in the 1940s?
A: Over 120 operators.
79. Q: How many passengers could early cable cars carry?
A: Up to 24 passengers initially.
80. Q: How many passengers can today’s cable cars carry?
A: Around 60 passengers.
Riddles 81-100
81. Q: How long does it take to tour the cable car powerhouse and museum?
A: About 1 hour.
82. Q: Where is the Cable Car Waiting House informational exhibit?
A: At 77 Hyde Street.
83. Q: What exhibit has cable car history and interactive displays?
A: The Cable Car Museum.
84. Q: Where is the Cable Car Museum located?
A: At 1201 Mason Street.
85. Q: What does the Cable Car Museum contain?
A: Original cable winding machinery.
86. Q: What can you watch being made at the Cable Car Museum?
A: The cable and grip assemblies.
87. Q: Where are vintage cable cars restored for service?
A: At the cable barns.
88. Q: What rare old cable car is preserved at the museum?
A: O’Farrell, Jones & Hyde cable car #504.
89. Q: What funcional item was invented by cable car operators?
A: Rice-O-Roni, using cable car cable ends!
90. Q: What food dish was created by a cable car operator?
A: Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe.
91. Q: What beverage is closely associated with cable cars?
A: Ghirardelli hot chocolate.
92. Q: What restaurant overlooks the Powell Street turnaround?
A: The Cable Car City Hall Restaurant.
93. Q: What dessert was invented for cable car riders in 1866?
A: Strawberry ice cream cones.
94. Q: What breakfast treat was created for grip operators?
A: It’s-It ice cream sandwiches.
95. Q: What food does the cable car logo resemble?
A: A rice noodle bowl or tahdig.
96. Q: What food is the San Francisco treat seen on every cable car?
A: Rice-A-Roni.
97. Q: What food has a cable car on the packaging?
A: Sourdough bread.
98. Q: What foods are sold from cable cars during special events?
A: Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
99. Q: What meat was supplied to early cable operators?
A: Beef tongues.
100. Q: What snacks are sold on scenic cable car route?
A: Roasted peanuts in shells.
Riddles 101-107
101. Q: What kitchen tool does the cable car resemble?
A: A flour sifter.
102. Q: What kitchen tool does the grip resemble?
A: A wire whisk.
103. Q: What food has a similar shape to cable cars?
A: Eclairs and crabs.
104. Q: What food resembles the Rice-a-Roni logo?
A: Spaghetti noodles.
105. Q: What food is gripped and pulled like cable cars?
A: Noodles and taffy.
106. Q: What kitchen appliance pulls food like cable cars?
A: Dough hook mixer attachments.
107. Q: What kitchen tools does the conductor resemble waving?
A: A spoon and spatula.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 107 riddles testing your knowledge about the fascinating history, operations, and fun facts around San Francisco’s iconic cable cars! Let me know if you have any other questions about these unique vehicles that have been transporting locals and visitors up and down the city’s steep hills for over a century. The cable cars offer a memorable ride and experience for all who board them.
